When fellow travel writers come to town, it’s on me to make sure they experience the best of Louisiana. Such was the case when Pamela Wattenbarger of Georgia arrived in Lafayette for Mardi Gras. Acadiana tourism folks planned to…
Moderate climate, great food, the great outdoors, Mardi Gras — Louisiana has a lot to offer. With seniors about to become the largest demographics in the nation, Louisiana is primed to attract those who want to spend their glory years in…
Atlanta may be the most-visited but rarely-seen city in America — its international airport calls itself the world’s busiest in terms of passenger traffic. But if you’re like many travelers and only visit Atlanta to change planes, it’s time to…
Lake Charles flaunts Carnival royalty at the Mardi Gras Royal Gala
Mardi Gras weather can turn on a dime, one reason my mother used to create costumes that could easily be worn as is or slipped over long sleeves and long johns. That was the case in Shreveport last year…
More than 40 breweries will be on tap at the Louisiana Winter Beer Festival from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9, in the 1000 block of Ryan Street overlooking the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse and 1911 Historic City…
When the United State purchased Louisiana from France, practically doubling the size of the country, their next-door neighbor had a few issues with the deal. Spain, which owned the territory that’s now Texas, disputed the boundary lines on its…
Chalk this under who knew, Louisiana? Labor lawyer and socialist Job Harriman was popular with the voters at the turn of the 20th century, but never enough to get elected. He ran for U.S. vice president with Eugene Debs in…
I used to beg festival organizers to place one in January, something festive to enjoy inside away from the wet, chilly weather. Then came Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival in Lafayette, a multi-day event that showcases numerous independent,…
Years ago, on a visit to Toledo Bend I spotted a bald eagle’s nest in a remote spot of South Toledo Bend State Park. When January rolled around this year and I was in bad need of a nature…
Like many Louisiana organizations, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana looked to raise money and started small, opening the Chitimacha Bayouland Bingo. In December 1993, the tribe took things up a notch, transforming the bingo establishment into Cypress Bayou Casino,…
Two hours from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, takes you to Jackson, New Orleans and the Coast, which is why it’s known as the Hub City. Shopping, craft breweries and art galleries dot the historic downtown and at the city’s heart lies the…
Twin’s Burgers & Sweet’s boudin king cake consists of a savory dough and boudin marriage, drizzled with Steen’s syrup on top and cracklin’ bits Carnival’s Gateau des Rois may have its beginnings in France but today’s Louisiana king cakes have…
Ringing in the new year around the state
It's in Louisiana!
While most of the United States anxiously awaits the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, in Louisiana children look for Papa Noel. To help the French Santa find their stockings hanging by the chimney with care, we light bonfires…
Exercise classes offered around Louisiana throughout the holiday season
I’m a history nerd, so I must admit that part of me balks at the sight of holiday lights and laughing Santa Claus decorating a historic village. But only for a millisecond. As quickly as that idea floats through…
Lincoln Parish Park
This past week Norwegian Cruise Line brought its Norwegian Breakaway ship to the New Orleans port and now offers five- to 11-days cruises to the Caribbean. The Breakaway, named Best Cruise Ship for Families by USA Today, is now the…
It’s been 15 years since the inauguration of the Louisiana Book Festival and I have attended all but two events and can honestly say I’ve loved every minute. The annual fall festival gathers together dozens and dozens of authors celebrating…
“You should celebrate the end of a love affair as they celebrate death in New Orleans, with songs, laughter, dancing and a lot of wine.” —Francoise Sagan Death may be a solemn affair in other parts of the…
There’s so much to love about the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge despite that Mark Twain once called it “pathetic." The castle-like structure sits on a hill facing the Mississippi River in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge,…
October is an illuminating, artistic affair in downtown Alexandria. First up, the annual Fall Arts Council of Central Louisiana ArtWalk will be from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, with music, dance, visual artists and more than…
Through the month of October, St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery bring former residents to life
It’s “Loyal Blue Weekend” in Ruston, three days of football fun with Louisiana Tech, and this weekend the Bulldogs take on the University of Alabama at Birmingham. There will be a Rock the Railroad rally Friday night with live…
Fall comes slowly to Louisiana, with temperatures taking their sweet time to drop and trees turning colors closer to Thanksgiving than Halloween. If you’re eager for something that smells and tastes like autumn, besides the pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks,…
There’s so many reasons to visit Arnaud’s restaurant in New Orleans. Go for the signature Creole remoulade, the flaming café brulot, the Carnival exhibits on the second floor or the French 75 cocktail in the bar of the same…
Louisiana is one of the last stops on the Mississippi Flyway, a highway of sorts for North American birds heading south for the winter and returning home every spring. Migratory birds are traveling this interstate right now, pausing in…
There’s an old joke that in the South on football Saturdays, cities double in population. Take Baton Rouge, for instance, which counts around 228,000 residents within its city limits. When the LSU football team plays at home in a…
When I was a child growing up in New Orleans my parents included me on an outing where they entertained an out-of-state client at the “Top of the Mart,” a rotating bar at the pinnacle of the World Trade…
Margaritaville Resort and Casino in Bossier Louisiana casinos may amply satisfy those with an adventurous spirit, but one amenity allows guests to leave behing the excitement of the gaming floor. Several casino resorts in the Bayou State offer spas and…
Bruno House Lubbock might be the epitome of this column’s title, being that it’s one of the farthest flung cities in Texas. Flying into the flat, dry West Texas town, looking down on agricultural squares resembling a quilt of…
A natural oasis in the New Orleans metro area
Local beers and a lot of events at these Shreveport-Bossier breweries
Places to cool off when the temperatures soar
Long to go to New Orleans but the budget’s tight? If you don’t mind a little heat (okay, a lot of heat), then August is the perfect time to visit the Crescent City. Hotels are offering great deals, the…
Cruises out of New Orleans offer fun on the high seas and exotic locales
The Bird Lovers Travel Guide to the Pelican State
Tours, tastings and taking in the sites round out a long, fun weekend in Natchez
Nashville is for music lovers, history and the holidays
Holiday festivals, food and family rituals to celebrate the season
Beaches, Gulf seafood, wildlife and history abound in sweet home Alabama
Three easy Louisiana destinations that put fun at your fingertips
Summer fun in Bay St. Louis, Biloxi and Ocean Springs
Natchez, Mississippi celebrates 300 years
A land of myths and legends
Things to do this summer along the Gulf Coast
